2008!!

As we get ready to welcome in the new year , I cant help but to look at 2008 and all the great experiences I have had and the wealth of knowledge learned. 2008 was my first full year being self employed and it has been a huge learning experience that has yielded unimaginable rewards. I am very fortunate to have shared time and conversation with people who understand the laws of nature and put them to work. Thankful that people in the fitness industry such as Jeremy Thiel and David King believed in me enough to bring me on board and be a part of their team. People like Michael Gregory who has shed a ton of Crossfit Knowledge upon me. These individuals are just a few who have shared with me valuable tools that have helped steer my career and better my life. A special thanks to my partner Joss Mckernan who shares the passion and vision that I admire and hold true. Joss has assisted me in helping a main goal of mine come into existence. This past November we opened the doors at Westlake Crossfit and have been blessed to have had incredible success thus far.

A few things learned in 2008:
1. Their is no gray area ( every decision you make is either leading you toward success or leading you toward failue)
2. There is a price to be paid for things worth having.
3. Don't fear criticism( people often hold back because of worry about what others will think)
4. Define your purpose( you must define what it is you want in order to develop persistence.)
5. Learned knowledge and applied knowledge go hand in hand. (you must take what youve learned and apply it)
6. You can never be defeated until you accept defeat as a reality.
7. Patience (have faith God will deliver things into your life at the perfect time)
8. Opinions are the cheapest commodities( Take peoples opinion lightly, you have your heart and soul to listen to)
9.Often remind people that you appreciate them.
10. Have Faith!!!

Look Within

About a month ago I begin to spend time alone in silence. During these times my mind would constantly race with thoughts covering all angles. But one thing that I did experience is a desire to learn more about meditation. Recently a friend invited me to join meditation classes and there I've learned that my desire to meditate is not about seeking enlightenment or "arrival" but rather a desire to become aware of consciousness and to consent to God's presence and actions within. Our whole lives we cling on to ideas and thoughts formed from the world and build our so called identity around these things. We develop egos and base our views off these very things. Nonetheless these things are not Truth. This is all perception!

Matthew 10:39
"Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it"

My year with "Fran"

Today marks the anniversary of my first tango with Fran. Fran was my second crossfit workout ever. I completed Fran in 9:00 minutes that day . I watched others complete the same workout in nearly 1/3 my time. That day marked the turning point in which I took a serious look at what I perceived to be fitness. It took me nearly 6 months to break away completely from my old training habits and fully dive into Crossfit. But since I have , I can honestly say that I've never been more fit.

Fran Times:
Dec 2007 -9:07
Mar 2008- 5:30
Aug 2008- 3:37
Dec 2008- 2:47

Goal for first quarter of 2009 - sub 2:30

Dumbing Down Society

Whether you choose to believe it or not , their is an extreme battle going on. There are major efforts going on to weaken humans , both physically and mentally. You owe it to yourself to research things and find your own truth.

.com

Time : 13 :47

Today was my first day of my commitment to follow the crossfit.com WOD's. This WOD played into my strengths , Box Jumps and Pull ups. I felt ok with the Deads but I was never able to put more than 10 together at once but stayed with it . All in all i felt good , Im eager to see where this new comittment takes me.

Jimmy V

Jimmy Valvano was an NCAA mens basketball coach at NC State. His most celebrated coaching accomplishment was winning the 1983 NCAA championship despite incredible odds.

Jimmy was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1992. Shortly before the annual ESPY awards Jimmy Valvano was told that the cancer had spread throughout his body. Whats so incredible about this speech is the true emotion behind his words and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others even while knowing your own life is limited.

What Rest?

630 Boot Campers getting in some sprints to keep the intensity flowing.

Calling all Trainers

With all this talk about the economy slipping into a recession, its very easy to lose sight of the true joy that comes with bringing pleasures to others. Cutting back on our expenses shouldn't mean cutting back on our abilities to help others. I'm inspired this month to really bring out the spirit of giving even during these times we face.

One way I've decided to achieve this is through "Training for Charity". I'm offering all my clients the opportunity to receive a free session just by donating food, clothes or toys to a charity of their choice. I hope I can inspire others to think of ways to give and share the gifts they have been blessed with.

True joy only comes to those who have devoted themselves to something bigger than their own happiness and personal interests."

Results

Everything you do in life will yield a result. Sometimes we do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results , this is not possible. If we are not happy with the results we are getting then we need to look into making changes. The fact is that many of us are scared of change because it can bring in the unknown and shake up the status quo. But remember with change can come growth. One of the biggest reason Crossfit is so effective is because its program is constantly varied. Routine is the enemy. Besides from preparing individuals to be ready for any circumstance life may bring, this is effective because the body will change most drastically when new stress factors are placed upon it. This is true with life aswell , when you experience new things you grow and develop in new ways. Encounter something new ..embrace the change and welcome the challenge. Results will follow!